ARG (ASR SA&NT) EBA RTBU NEWS BULLETIN NO. 4

THE HARD ISSUES DISCUSSED

The RTBU EBA negotiating team consisting of National and Branch Officers and delegates Sandy Walker (Thevenard), Dave Yelland (Adelaide) and Peter Coffey (Port Augusta) met with ARG/ASR representatives in Adelaide on 8,9 November, 2004.

While EBA negotiations haven't occurred for three weeks movement in a number of areas has occurred.

• A 4% increase to hourly rates payable from 26 September and the abolition of passive time has occurred
• Discussions between RTBU members and ARG reps at Whyalla has occurred about safety issues including "mandown" testing, implementation of training to achieve national training standards and certification, fire proof coats for work in 'hot metal' area, and upgrading of handheld radios.
• Preparation of guidelines and commencement of negotiations for implementation of rostering principles at the depot level.
• Commencement of review of barracks accommodation standards, with first priority on the Eyre Peninsula.

TOTAL PACKAGE APPROACH:

The RTBU team discussed many important issues over the two day some were agreed 'in principle' others require a lot more work. ARG reinforced their position that they will be adopting a total package approach.

WAGES:

Negotiations focussed on the RTBU demand "Why should SA and NT railworkers be the lowest paid across ARG's national operations?" ARG wouldn't agree to NSW wage rates but said the WA ARG EBA rates should set the standard. The wages have two components the base and weekend penalties which stand alone (these vary from depot to depot). These two are added together to get the total rate.

• HELD AWAY FROM HOME ALLOWANCE

Proposal: Single payment after 12 hours. For multiple books the total hours would be added up eg 1st rest job 9 hours, 2nd rest job 10 hours, total of 19 hours. 7 hours HAHA would be paid.

• EXPENSES:

Proposal: Book offs Away from home by Train Crew in employer provided accommodation /includes relay van working : meal allowance of $20.75 for each 8 hours or part of 8 hours.

• Temporary transfer employer provided self contained accommodation $62.25 per day (0001 to 2400) plus incidentals of $13.85 p.d.

TRANSFERS:

ARG table a proposal which included:

• Transfer of employee from one location to another because of downturn or commercial/operational changes, employees personal circumstances to be taken into account. If personal circumstances prevent transfer, other alternatives including redundancy will occur.

Comment: Principle has applied in the railway, further tightening up required.

• Temporary Transfer: ARG propose 6 weeks, call for volunteers first, if not successful equitable sharing on depot basis, recognition that individuals' personal circumstance may affect ability to temporarily transfer. RTBU propose a maximum of 4 weeks in 12 months.
• Rostered Sub Depot Working: ARG propose sub depot to be allocated to another depot as part of the roster work of the primary depot for seasonal reasons, difficult to resources locations, cost of establishing permanent depot. RTBU negotiating team raised number of issues about maximum periods, expenses, amenities standards, accommodation standards etc.
• Working Hours:

  Proposal: Average of 40 hours per week, with roster cycle usually two weeks. Acceptable by RTBU in principle.

• Shift Lengths: ARG Proposal



Driver Only Operations - General
Mainline DOO	9 hours
DOO Shunt	10 hours
Mixed DOO on a case by case basis	Up to 10 hours
DOO operations already in place
Operation	Max Shift Length
Adelaide Metro area	12 hours
Whyalla	12.5
Port Lincoln Yard	12 hours

It is proposed that the DOO operations already in place will be reviewed during the first 6 months of the Agreement to reduce shifts to 10 hours where possible.

COMMENT: Some progress is being made to reduce DOO shift hours. However, the RTBU team have difficulties because of general lack of staff and employer view that DOO shifts can be extended by 50" in an emergency.

RELAY WORKING - ARG proposal for three person crew (one driving/two resting) RTBU reject outright for this EBA. Major difference between the parties.

BETWEEN RELAY TRIPS: 52 hours for relay trip involving a book off and return relay trip of between 40-48 hours- Not acceptable to RTBU team. Our claim is 72 hours. Social and family life are priority issues. Lengthy discussions occurred. A long way to go on this one. Discussions to occur with ARTC and FreightLink about train paths and being buried away in sidings close to home.

RELAY VAN RATES: RTBU claim 80%. ARG to provide details about crew van time being used to make up ordinary hours. ARG argue that rates for time spent in crew van will be 'part of total package'.

COMMENT:Some hard yards to be made on this one.

LONG SERVICE LEAVE:ARG want to standardise across their operations. Will recognise' in 'principle' the service of casual employees recently made permanent subject to further negotiations about length of breaks that casuals may have had. ARG want pro rata LSL after 10 not 7 years.

COMMENT: Significant progress has been made but the details have to be nailed down.

The next EBA negotiating meeting will be held on 24, 25 November, 2004.

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